How to avoid email scammers
Places to stay are a frequent target for scammers, due to the potentially complex nature of booking and payments. Sadly, there’s very little we can do to stop scammers coming through our site or finding you directly, so we all have to be as vigilant as possible. Scams usually start with an email enquiry, not a direct booking, so here are a few simple signs to look out for and what to do if you spot them. Remember to let us know if you encounter any scams, as we can pass them on to our owners community and help everyone avoid getting caught out.
Strange financial arrangements
Recently, some of our French places were targeted through an email enquiry which stated that the person had overpaid for their booking. Funds appeared to be in the owners account and a partial refund was requested, but the payment had been made by cheque, which the bank eventually voided, leaving the owner down the refunded amount. If you’re faced with this situation, contact your bank or wait until you are certain the payment has fully cleared.
Very long stays
Another signal that an enquiry might be a scam is if it’s a request for a very long stay. This is often used as a pretext for unusual payment methods or staggered payments, all of which can be the first step in a similar scam to the uncleared funds above. Stick to your normal payment rules, be firm and make sure that any payment you do receive is legitimate.
The smell test
This is a tricky one, but scam emails often just “feel strange”. They might be poorly written, ask for your bank details or have oddly complex requirements. Also, although you should always be cautious, they will probably come during your busiest time, in the hope that you’ll try and resolve them quickly without thinking too much about the potential for a scam. If anything seems odd about an email enquiry, get in touch with us immediately and we’ll help you assess it and plan next steps.